For Winnipeg and the surrounding area!

[theshaneler]

Originally Posted by KamikazeKLR

Well it's gonna start with a stern email to the mayor's office. Like I said, if I get a stupid response back, I'll start a petition.

you should post your email on here so we can use it as a template for us to use as well! make sure to complain about having to pay parking tickets as the result of theft of the parking paper.

I'm in on any petition we need to get going.

[humvee]

Why exactly are we starting with a stern letter? Maybe nobody's asked the question before of moto parking?

You might get better traction with a "you know, after my parking receipt blew away in the wind"....or...."After visiting Toronto this summer..."

catch more bees with honey and all that...



To write an angry letter off the get go just seems like you're yelling at the wrong guy.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Originally Posted by dryden_rider_54

Ha ha they updated Google Street View in our area this spring.

I saw the google car when I was on my bike coming home from Fort Frances last May 30. I thought I may have got in the picture and sure as heck I was.

https://maps.google.ca/?ll=49.287459...204.98,,0,7.67

That's pretty cool actually! You are captured for posterity... might be a long time before they swing thru again. I just happened to look up street view in Woodridge and was surprised that they'd even gone thru the back streets in that little town! Google is mapping some pretty remote locations... won't be long 'till we'll be able to virtual tour most of civilization - kind of take some of the fun out of going there?

[dryden_rider_54]

Originally Posted by GreatWhiteNorth

That's pretty cool actually! You are captured for posterity... might be a long time before they swing thru again. I just happened to look up street view in Woodridge and was surprised that they'd even gone thru the back streets in that little town! Google is mapping some pretty remote locations... won't be long 'till we'll be able to virtual tour most of civilization - kind of take some of the fun out of going there?

I know they have portable units that they are doing the inside of businesses. I wonder if they would give out cameras to photo some back roads, snowmobile trails and major lakeshore and waterways?

Do I sense a new career move?

[Whyswoman]

Originally Posted by humvee

Why exactly are we starting with a stern letter? Maybe nobody's asked the question before of moto parking?

You might get better traction with a "you know, after my parking receipt blew away in the wind"....or...."After visiting Toronto this summer..."

catch more bees with honey and all that...



To write an angry letter off the get go just seems like you're yelling at the wrong guy.

I'm with you, Humvee...

Just as a side note - I have had one parking ticket on my bike - as a result of my own folly (stayed parked 1/2 hr. beyond the parking I had paid for - on Broadway Avenue). My stub had not blown away, nor had it been "stolen"....I simply ran overtime in an interview.

I have never had a parking stub go missing, as I tuck it in under my windshield - clearly visible, right side up. For additional security, I use my cell phone to take a photo of my stub in situ, and I only use a credit card to purchase said stub. That way, I will have a record of my purchase on my monthly cc statement - which will jive with the date/time on the photo. I believe that being prepared in this way will afford a greater likelihood of success in fighting any ticket which may result if someone "lifts" my parking stub...

[KamikazeKLR]

I'm not writing an angry letter. It's more of a 'hey, this shit sucks man' kind of email. I called Winnipeg parking authority and made sure I knew the rules. The lady said motorcycle riders just have to deal with getting towed all the time.

Ill copy the draft email here later today before sending it so I can add input from you guys.

[KamikazeKLR]

Don't judge my writing abilities please. Just trying to get our point across effectively!

Good morning sir,

As an avid motorcycle rider in the City of Winnipeg, I would like to bring to light some concerns that other motorcyclists and I have about the way motorcycle parking is monitored in the city.

It is highly unfair that, due to a lack of an enclosed cabin like a car, we have to endure people stealing our parking stubs, and when we are towed (even though we paid for parking) when we prove that we were parked legally, we have to pay the towing fee. This raises more concerns because I wouldn't want a stranger touching my motorcycle. It seems, Sir, that the method of tying the receipt to the handlebars is just not one that works. The facts are that motorcycles are considerably smaller than cars and should have designated parking areas where a car would just be too big or in the way and/or free parking like in other cities to avoid this dilemma completely. I believe that if owning a motorcycle in this city would be less of a hassle, more people would buy them which is good for everyone.

There is a lot of interest in this topic among the motorcycle community and we'd really like to work something out with the city in order for all of us to coexist peacefully.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

[jimtoe]

Mel that is ok but I would use the position of mileage "good for the environment as well as less congestion on the streets". If it is sold as a environmental issue as opposed to a I got my ticket stolen issue it will be better received. Not saying that should not be included but not the focus. When Toronto did it it was sold on that basis. They also got the permission of the city to park bikes on the sidewalk if it were paved to the road(no grass). The bikes had to be as close to the road as possible and not interfere with pedestrian traffic. This practice afforded more parking for cars on the road. Make it a win with the city and it will receive more attention.

Just my two cents.

[KamikazeKLR]

Good idea! I'm all for changing this email. I jut don't know how to write. I will include those topics in there for sure. Anyone else?

[theshaneler]

i was incredibly bored today so i typed this up:

Dear Mr. Katz

I am writing you today to inform you of an issue that you may or may not be aware of. As I am sure you are know, in the city of Winnipeg we have payed parking meters, which print out a time ticket that you put on your dash and can be checked by the city of Winnipeg Parking Authority (WPA). This method works well enough most of the time, but it does have one fatal flaw, and it has to do with motorcycles and scooters.

As an avid motorcyclist in this city, i know all to well the horrors of parking in the core area. On motorcycles and scooters, there is no enclosed and locked area to display parking time tickets for the WPA to check. Clearly placing the ticket on the seat, handlebars, or any surface for that mater, is not an option, as all it takes is a light breeze to blow your time ticket away. Some riders bring with them a rubber band to hold the ticket to the handlebars, but this tactic is also fatally flawed as any person can walk up and take it off. This leads to tickets, and possibly towing of the vehicle and even if you can prove that you had payed for your parking (via credit card bill or a photo of the ticket) the rider is still responsible to pay for the towing fees and often even the ticket!

It is a well known fact that Manitoba has some of the highest motorcycle rates in North America, so adding undeserved parking and towing fines just adds to the already huge cost of riding motorcycles and scooters. It is clear to see that the number of two wheeled vehicles is on the rise, this last summer i noticed a dramatic increase in the number of scooters from 2011. I believe this is due to two things; the price of scooters has been plummeting (brand new scooter can be purchased for less than $2500), as well, the vast increase in the "green" or "eco" movements. Although the truth about global warming has yet to be found, the amount of people jumping on the bandwagon is in the midst of a sharp increase, and driving a scooter fits perfectly in cutting down emissions.

So what are some possible solutions you ask? Well i will present you with what Vancouver is doing to ensure fair treatment of motorcycle and scooter riders.
http://vancouver.ca/streets-transpor...-scooters.aspx
Vancouver has special reserved spots for motorcycles/scooters, some are free, and some metered. For any person wanting to park in a regular space with a two wheeled vehicle, you can phone in and register your license plate so you don't need a time ticket, they also offer large discounts for motorcycles/scooters. Another example is in Toronto, motorcycle parking in the city is completely free.
The reason these cities offer special services for motorcycles is because there are large advantages to having more motorcycles and less cars, in the cramped core area. The largest advantage is the size of the vehicle, in the space that one car would take, you can fit 4 or more motorcycles (i have seen upwards of 6 if they are parked closely). The size issue also is an added bonus when they are not parked together, scooters and motorcycles can also fill in small gaps left by other cars. These gaps are often irritating to other motorists as they are often almost large enough for a small car, but so tight that you could not pull into it.

I do not think of myself as a city planning expert, but I feel that you should know of this issue with our parking system in the core area. I have offered other cities solutions in hopes that it will inspire you to come up with a solution for this great city, and that we can improve parking for all motorcycle and scooter riders.

Please feel free to contact me:
Cell:(204)229-9278
Shane_r_L@hotmail.com

Thank you for your time
Shane Bonner

edit: man the forum messes up all spacing and indents ><

[BackRoader]

How about it!!! Sunday December 30th, CanadInn Polo Park.
(11:30ish to whenever)

[SoSlow]

Looks pretty good! I also agree with the environmental benefits and the "look how many more parking tolls you can get in the same space" angle.

[SoSlow]

Originally Posted by BackRoader

How about it!!! Sunday December 30th, CanadInn Polo Park.
(11:30ish to whenever)

Tentatively in - won't be able to stay too long, but should be able to hang for an hour or two. Will know more in a couple days.

[Whyswoman]

Originally Posted by BackRoader

How about it!!! Sunday December 30th, CanadInn Polo Park.
(11:30ish to whenever)

Sounds good to the Piffle/Whys contingent...

[MacNoob]

I'm liking the letters. Maybe include a link to the Toronto bylaw.

Anyone looking for something cheap from motorcyclegear.com? (but not in time for Christmas...)

I'd like to order from them a clearance tail bag but it's not expensive enough to get free shipping in the US. I need another $55 or so. I would ship items to Pembina then head down and pick them up in a few weeks (waiting for a camera to come back from repair).

So if there was something around $55 or more you wanted to order, and aren't in a big hurry, PM me and we can add it to my order - I'll pick it up for you at the border and we both save on shipping!